Llyn Celyn

The water here is oddly still, dark as slate under grey Welsh sky. Llyn Celyn is a reservoir created in the 1960s, swallowing the village of Celyn entirely - a fact that haunts the place in the best possible way. The lake stretches across the Dee Valley near Bala, surrounded by moorland that rolls away without fuss or fanfare.

There's something compelling about walking the shoreline knowing what lies beneath. The water's cold, the air quieter than you'd expect, and you'll often have the whole thing to yourself. It's not a dramatic mountain lake - no jagged peaks, no Instagram-ready drama. Instead it's subtly beautiful, especially on those rare clear mornings when the surrounding hills actually show themselves properly.

Walkers get the most from Llyn Celyn. The paths around the perimeter offer genuine solitude without the crowds you'd find at Snowdon or the tourist-heavy lakes further south. Fishing is permitted if you've got a licence, and the water's popular with kayakers, though you'll need to arrange access. Allow a couple of hours for a decent walk; there's nowhere to buy food or drink, so bring supplies.

If you're camped at Tyn Cornel, just down the road, or further afield at Porth Eryri, this makes a proper morning outing. It won't occupy a full day, but it's the kind of place that settles something in you - especially if you're after genuine quiet rather than tourist attractions dressed up as countryside.